President: Czech Republic should drop visa requirement for Russians

Czech President Miloš Zeman has told Russian news agency ITAR-TASS the
Czech Republic should lift visas as quickly as possible for citizens of the
Russian federation. He expressed the opinion in connection with sanctions
faced by Russia over the Ukraine crisis, saying he saw no reason for the EU
to isolate Russia. Nor did he see the need for sanctions, blockades or
embargoes. Mr Zeman expressed the view that isolation had never led to
success but only deepened misunderstanding and mistrust. The president’s
spokesman pointed out that Mr Zeman’s view that economic sanctions were
“counterproductive” is one that he has long held. The head of the Czech
Association of Travel Agencies confirmed, meanwhile, that the Czech
Republic has seen 40 percent fewer Russian tourists this year, due in part
to developments in Ukraine, but also, due to the lengthy protocol and cost
of obtaining a visa.